Who claims first blood? Ask our psychic lions

First there was Paul the psychic octopus who predicted winners in football’s 2010 World Cup with uncanny precision in Germany.

Then there was Richie the Macaw — the Herald’s parrot pundit whose predictions put jittery Kiwis into a flap over the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Now, we have the Herald’s very own soothsayer lions to forecast who will win each of the three tests between the World Cup- winning All Blacks and the British & Irish Lions.

And beware All Blacks fans — who they’re backing tonight does not make for good reading.

Over the next three weeks, our very own prophetic pride, who roam an undisclosed location right here in New Zealand, have gazed into the 15- man code’s future.

For each test, the rampant lions will be given the choice of choosing between a black ball with a silver fern emblazoned across it, or a red ball featuring a lion.

All feelings of feline favouritism aside, they have spoken with a roar.

The All Blacks might be red- hot favourites at the bookies for the first test, which kicks off at Eden Park at 7.35pm, but our lions know best.

Decisive lioness Tua quickly picked the visiting British & Irish Lions to take first test honours.

And who’s going to argue with her? Stay tuned to find out if she was right.